Rheinmetall to supply additional Gladius soldier systems
Rheinmetall has announced that the German Army has placed further orders for the Gladius soldier system. The order, announced on 8 February, will see the company supply a further sixty systems, in addition to the initial thirty systems ordered in 2012.
This follow-up order is worth €84 million, and encompasses equipment for 60 infantry sections with a total of 600 soldiers. The systems will be delivered in two batches of thirty systems each, with the first to be delivered mid-2013, and the rest by the end of 2013.
The German Army is already taking delivery of the systems placed under the 2012 order. The delivery schedule will ensure that the next two contingents of troops due to deploy to Afghanistan will receive the new equipment well in advance. The troops will have until June 2013 to train with the new system before going to Afghanistan.
Developed by Rheinmetall, Gladius substantially exceeds the capabilities of previous infantry systems used by the German Army, especially with regard to networkability, command and control, and combat effectiveness. The system is designed to significantly improve the overall operational effectiveness of German infantry units while simultaneously enhancing the survivability of individual soldiers.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
-
![MAAF to test Britain’s shift from armour to distributed lethality in Estonia]()
MAAF to test Britain’s shift from armour to distributed lethality in Estonia
The bilateral agreement between the UK and Estonia comes as both countries explore how dispersed troops, drones, digital targeting, anti-tank weapons and increasingly long-range fires can complement the combat mass traditionally provided by heavy armour.
-
![Polaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow]()
Polaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow
The Military 850 Voyageur 155 Crossover has secured orders from the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, addressing demand for agile Arctic mobility with passenger, cargo and towing capacity.
-
![Northrop Grumman pushing ahead with smaller Integrated Battle Command System]()
Northrop Grumman pushing ahead with smaller Integrated Battle Command System
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Polish forces and is being introduced to US forces, with further development underway on the original platform as well as a smaller, more mobile system.
-
![UK’s ground-based air defence effort remains in assessment phase after third industry day]()
UK’s ground-based air defence effort remains in assessment phase after third industry day
The UK’s plan to introduce a new air defence capability into the British Army will cover short and medium-range defence as well as counter-uncrewed aerial system systems. Timelines are not yet laid out but industry is making plans.
